Communications module integrated boot and release slide

ABSTRACT

One embodiment includes an integrated boot and release slide having a release slide and a boot. The release slide includes a main body, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of coupling structures. The arms extend from a first end of the main body. The coupling structures extend from a second end of the main body opposite the first end. The boot is overmolded over the coupling structures of the release slide and defines a cavity configured to slidably receive a communications cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/257,776, entitled “ELECTROMAGNETICRADIATION CONTAINMENT IN AN OPTOELECTRONIC MODULE,” filed on Nov. 3,2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/262,049,entitled “ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION CONTAINMENT IN AN OPTOELECTRONICMODULE,” filed on Nov. 17, 2009. This application is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/573,637,entitled “LATCHING MECHANISM FOR A MODULE,” filed on Oct. 5, 2009. Theforegoing patent applications are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments relate generally to communications modules. Moreparticularly, example embodiments relate to an integrated boot andrelease slide for use in the insertion and removal of a communicationsmodule from a cage of a host device.

2. Related Technology

Communication modules, such as electronic or optoelectronic transceiveror transponder modules, are increasingly used in electronic andoptoelectronic communication. Some modules are pluggable, which permitsthe module to be inserted into and removed from a cage of a host device,such as a host computer, switching hub, network router, or switch box.Some host devices include multiple cages and can therefore accommodatemultiple modules simultaneously. Each module typically communicates witha printed circuit board of the host device by transmitting and/orreceiving electrical data signals to and/or from the host device printedcircuit board. These electrical data signals can also be transmitted bythe module outside the host device as optical and/or electrical datasignals.

Active cables include communication cables with communications modulesat one or both ends of the communications cables. The communicationsmodules of some active cables include a handle that is epoxied to thecommunications cable. Such communications modules may be removed fromhost device cages by pulling on the handle. If the epoxy is defective,the handle may dislodge from the communications module, making itdifficult to remove the communications module from the host device cage.Further, the force applied to the handle may be difficult for a user tocontrol when the handle dislodges from the communications module suchthat the user may inadvertently bend the communications cable beyond itsacceptable bend radius, possibly ruining the communications cable andthe entire active cable.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodimentsdescribed herein may be practiced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments relate to an integrated boot and release slide for usein the insertion and removal of a communications module from a cage of ahost device.

One example embodiment includes an integrated boot and release slidehaving a release slide and a boot. The release slide includes a mainbody, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of coupling structures. Thearms extend from a first end of the main body. The coupling structuresextend from a second end of the main body opposite the first end. Theboot is overmolded over the coupling structures of the release slide anddefines a cavity configured to slidably receive a communications cable.

Another example embodiment includes a communications module having ahousing and an integrated boot and release slide. The housing includes atop shell and a bottom shell. The integrated boot and release slideincludes a release slide and a boot. The release slide includes a mainbody, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of couplings structures. Themain body includes a hollow cylinder substantially enclosing at least aportion of one end of the bottom shell. The hollow cylinder has asubstantially rectangular cross-section. The arms extend from a firstend of the main body along opposing sides of the housing. The couplingstructures extend from a second end of the main body opposite the firstend of the main body. The boot is overmolded over the plurality ofcoupling structures of the release slide and defines a cavity configuredto slidably receive a communications cable.

Yet another example embodiment includes an active cable having acommunications cable and first and second communications modules. Thecommunications cable includes one or more optical fibers and has firstand second ends to which the communications modules are attached. Eachcommunications module includes a housing and an integrated boot andrelease slide. The housing includes a top shell and a bottom shell. Theintegrated boot and release slide includes a release slide and a boot.The release slide includes a main body, a plurality of arms, and aplurality of couplings structures. The main body includes a hollowcylinder substantially enclosing at least a portion of one end of thebottom shell. The hollow cylinder has a substantially rectangularcross-section. The arms extend from a first end of the main body alongopposing sides of the housing. The coupling structures extend from asecond end of the main body opposite the first end of the main body. Theboot is overmolded over the plurality of coupling structures of therelease slide and defines a cavity configured to slidably receive acommunications cable.

Additional features will be set forth in the description which follows,and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bythe practice of the teachings herein. Features of the invention may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. Features of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following descriptionand appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the inventionas set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify certain aspects of the present invention, a moreparticular description of the invention will be rendered by reference toexample embodiments thereof which are disclosed in the appendeddrawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only exampleembodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be consideredlimiting of its scope. Aspects of the invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an example communications moduleand an attached communications cable illustrating an example boot andexample release slide forming an integrated boot and release slide;

FIG. 1B is a bottom rear perspective view of the example communicationsmodule and attached communications cable of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an exploded front perspective view of the examplecommunications module and attached communications cable of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the example release slide ofFIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 2B is a bottom rear perspective view of the example release slideof FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the example boot of FIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the example boot of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the integratedboot and release slide of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5A is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of the examplecommunications module and release slide of FIG. 1A with the releaseslide in a non-activated position;

FIG. 5B is a top cross-sectional view of the portion of the examplecommunications module and release slide of FIG. 5A with the releaseslide in an activated position;

FIG. 6 is a bottom front perspective view of the communications moduleof FIG. 1A with a portion of the release slide removed;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of anintegrated boot and release slide that can be employed in thecommunications module of FIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 8A is front perspective view of another example communicationsmodule and an attached communications cable illustrating an example bootand example release slide forming yet another embodiment of anintegrated boot and release slide;

FIG. 8B is an exploded front perspective view of the integrated boot andrelease slide of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is front perspective view of yet another example communicationsmodule and an attached communications cable illustrating an example bootand example release slide forming yet another embodiment of anintegrated boot and release slide;

FIG. 9B is an exploded front perspective view of the examplecommunications module and attached communications cable of FIG. 9A; and

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of anintegrated boot and release slide that can be employed in thecommunications module of FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the invention relate to an integrated boot andrelease slide for use in inserting and removing a communication modulefrom a cage of a host device. Some example embodiments of the integratedboot and release slide include a boot and a release slide. The releaseslide includes a main body, a plurality of arms extending from a firstend of the main body for selectively securing the communication modulewithin the cage, and a plurality of coupling structures extending from asecond end of the main body. The boot is overmolded over the couplingstructures of the release slide. The boot defines a cavity configured toslidably receive a cable.

In some embodiments, the overmolding of the boot over the couplingstructures of the release slide substantially prevents the boot frombeing dislodged from the communication module when a force is applied tothe boot to remove the communication module from the cage. Alternatelyor additionally, the boot includes an integrated pull tab upon which aforce is applied to remove the communication module from the cage.

The embodiments described herein can be implemented in variouscommunication modules, including electronic modules and optoelectronicmodules. As used herein, the term “optoelectronic module” includesmodules having both optical and electrical components. Examples ofelectronic and optoelectronic modules include, but are not limited to,active electrical cables, active optical cables, transponders,transceivers, transmitters, and/or receivers. Electronic andoptoelectronic modules can be used, for instance, in telecommunicationsnetworks, local area networks, metro area networks, storage areanetworks, wide area networks, and the like and can be configured toconform with one or more standardized form factors or multi-sourceagreements (“MSAs”), including the QSFP, CXP, CFP, XFP and SFP+ formfactors, without restriction. It will be appreciated, however, that theelectronic and optoelectronic modules need not comply with standardizedform factor requirements and may have any size or configurationnecessary according to a particular design.

The communication modules according to some embodiments can beconfigured for electrical and/or optical signal transmission andreception at a variety of per-second data rates including, but notlimited to, 10 Gigabits per second (“G”), 40 G, 100 G, or higher. Asused herein, the terms “10 G”, “40 G”, “100 G”, and similar termsrepresent rounded approximations of common signaling rates and have themeanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art.

Furthermore, the communication modules according to some embodiments canbe configured for optical signal transmission and reception at variouswavelengths including, but not limited to, 850 nm, 1310 nm, 1470 nm,1490 nm, 1510 nm, 1530 nm, 1550 nm, 1570 nm, 1590 nm, or 1610 nm.Further, the communication modules can be configured to support varioustransmission standards including, but not limited to, Ethernet, FibreChannel, Infiniband and SONET/SDH.

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like structures willbe provided with like reference designations. It should be understoodthat the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations ofexemplary embodiments and, accordingly, are not limiting of the scope ofthe present invention, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale.

I. First Example Module

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1A-1C which depict an examplecommunication module 100 (“module 100”) for use in transmitting andreceiving optical signals in connection with a host device (not shown)that is operatively connected in some embodiments to a communicationnetwork (not shown). FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate, respectively, a frontperspective view, a bottom rear perspective view, and an exploded frontperspective view of the module 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the module 100 includes a housing 102made up of a top shell 104 and a bottom shell 106. Although the housing102 is illustrated as being made up of two components (i.e., top shell104 and bottom shell 106), the housing 102 can alternately be made up ofa unitary component and/or three or more components.

In the example depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, the bottom shell 106 includestwo cutouts 107A, 107B (collectively “cutouts 107”). Additionally, alatching shoulder 108 is formed in each side of the top shell 104 (onlyone latching shoulder 108 is visible in FIGS. 1A-1C) and a latchingshoulder 109 is formed in each side of the bottom shell 106 (only onelatching shoulder 109 is visible in FIGS. 1A-1C). Additional informationregarding cutouts 107 and latching shoulders 108, 109 is provided below.

As best seen in FIG. 1C, the housing 102 defines a cavity, generallyindicated at 110, within which are disposed at least one opticaltransmitter 111 and at least one optical receiver 112. In this and otherexamples, the optical transmitter 111 is a 4×1 array of vertical cavitysurface emitting lasers (“VCSELs”) and the optical receiver 112 is a 4×1array of p-type, intrinsic, n-type (“PIN”) photodiodes. Alternately, theoptical transmitter 111 can include other types of optical transmitters,such as edge-emitting lasers, in the same or different quantities orconfigurations. Similarly, the optical receiver 112 can alternatelyinclude other types of optical receivers in the same or differentquantities or configurations. In other embodiments, the module 100implements electrical transmitters and receivers, rather than opticaltransmitters 111 and receivers 112.

A printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) 114 is at least partiallydisposed in the cavity 110. The PCBA 114 includes, among other things,edge connector 116, a laser driver 118, and a post amplifier 120. Theedge connector 116 interfaces with a host device to communicateelectrical data signals between the host device and the module 100.Electrical data signals received from the host device are provided tothe laser driver 118, which drives the optical transmitter 111 to emitoptical data signals representative of the received electrical datasignals. Alternately or additionally, optical data signals can bereceived by the optical receiver 112 which converts the received opticaldata signals to electrical data signals and provides the electrical datasignals to the post amplifier 120 for amplification prior to beingcommunicated to the host device via edge connector 116.

With continued reference to FIG. 1C, a cable assembly 122 is providedthat includes a communications cable 122A and a modified MPO-style maleconnector 122B. In some examples, the cable assembly 122 is permanentlyattached to the module 100, and thus the module 100 represents one endof an “active cable.” As used herein, the term “active cable” refers toan apparatus with a module, such as the module 100, permanently attachedat one or both ends of a transmission media, such as the communicationscable 122A. It is understood, however, that the cable assembly 122 couldinstead be releasably connected to the module 100, in which case themodule 100 would function as a stand-alone module.

In the example of FIGS. 1A-1C, the communications cable 122A includes atotal of 12 multimode parallel ribbon fibers, including 4 transmitfibers, 4 receive fibers, and 4 unused fibers. More generally, however,the communications cable 122A includes any suitable number of singlemode or multimode fibers implemented in a parallel ribbon or asindividual fibers.

The modified MPO-style male connector 122B is received within a modifiedMPO-style female connector, known as an alignment guide 124. Thealignment guide 124 partially positions the optical fibers of cableassembly 122 within the module 100. The module 100 additionally includesa lens block 126 with overmolded lens pins (not labeled). The modifiedMPO-style male connector 122B, alignment guide 124, lens block 126 andlens pins collectively cooperate to align the optical fibers of thecable assembly 122 with the optical transmitter 111 and optical receiver112 such that optical signals can be emitted onto and/or received fromthe optical fiber(s) of cable assembly 122.

Optionally, the module 100 additionally includes an electromagneticradiation (“EMR”) containment assembly 130 and a plurality of springs132A, 132B (collectively “springs 132”). The EMR containment assembly130 is configured to substantially prevent EMR from escaping past theEMR containment assembly 130. The springs 132A, 132B are housed withinchannels 106A, 106B, respectively, formed in the bottom shell 106.Briefly, the springs 132A, 132B are configured to bias an integratedboot and release slide 134 in a non-activated position.

The module 100 further includes integrated boot and release slide 134.The integrated boot and release slide 134 includes a release slide 136and a boot 138. The integrated boot and release slide 134 is configuredfor use in inserting and removing the module 100 from a cage. Additionaldetails regarding the integrated boot and release slide 134 are providedbelow.

Some embodiments have been described in the context of an active opticalcable including a module 100 configured to transmit and receive opticalsignals over an optical communications cable 122A. Alternately oradditionally, embodiments can be implemented in active electrical cablesincluding modules configured to transmit and receive electrical signalsover electrical cables. Alternately or additionally, embodiments can beimplemented in stand-alone modules configured to transmit and/or receiveoptical signals or electrical signals over suitable transmission media.

Furthermore, the module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C is substantiallycompliant with the QSFP MSA. In other embodiments, the module 100 isconfigured to be substantially compliant with other form factorsincluding, but not limited to, the CXP form factor.

II. Integrated Boot and Release Slide

FIGS. 2A-4 disclose additional details regarding the integrated boot andrelease slide 134 of FIGS. 1A-1C. In particular, FIG. 2A illustrates aperspective view and FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom rear perspective viewof the release slide 136. FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view andFIG. 3B illustrates a rear perspective view of the boot 138. FIG. 4illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the integrated bootand release slide 134.

A. Release Slide

With combined reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, additional details regarding therelease slide 136 are disclosed. The release slide 136 can be made ofsheet metal, other metal(s), plastic, other suitable material(s), or anycombination thereof. The release slide 134 includes a main body 202. Themain body 202 is a hollow cylinder having a substantially rectangularcross-section in the illustrated embodiment. With combined reference toFIGS. 1A-2B, the main body 202 substantially encloses the positive z-end106C of bottom shell 106.

A plurality of arms 204A, 204B (collectively “arms 204”) extends in thearbitrarily defined negative z-direction away from a first end of themain body 202. Each of the arms 204 includes a ramp 205A, 205B(collectively “ramps 205”) and a de-latch member 206A, 206B(collectively “de-latch members 206”). In some embodiments, the ramps205 accommodate inward-directed latches of a cage, permitting the cagelatches to engage one or more of latching shoulders 108, 109.Alternately or additionally, the de-latch members 206 are configured todisengage the cage latches from the latching shoulders 108, 109 uponactivation of the integrated boot and release slide 134.

Each of arms 204 additionally includes a guide post 208A, 208B(collectively “guide posts 208”). With combined reference to FIGS.1A-2B, the guide posts 208 are received in cutouts 107 of the bottomshell 106 and are configured to substantially prevent the integratedboot and release slide 134 from separating from the module 100 whilepermitting limited travel of the integrated boot and release slide 134in the z-direction with respect to the housing 102. More particularly,the guide post 208A is received in cutout 107A and the guide post 208Bis received in cutout 107B. The cutouts 107 are oversized in thez-direction with respect to the guide posts 208, permitting the guideposts 208 to travel a distance less than a length of each cutout 107 inthe z-direction. Upon reaching the end of cutouts 107, the guide posts208 engage the cutouts 107 and prevent the integrated boot and releaseslide 134 from separating from the module 100.

Returning to FIGS. 2A-2B, a plurality of coupling structures 210A-210E(collectively “coupling structures 210”) extends away from the oppositeend of the main body 202 as the arms 204. In the illustrated embodiment,there are five coupling structures 210. In other embodiments, there maybe more or less than five coupling structures 210. Further, each of thecoupling structures 210 is substantially U-shaped. Alternately oradditionally, each of the coupling structures 210 has a shape other thana U-shape. The coupling structures 210A-210E are used to couple therelease slide 134 and boot 138 together.

Optionally, the release slide 136 further includes a plurality of tabs212A, 212B (FIG. 2B) extending from the first end of the main body 202.With combined reference to FIGS. 1A-2B, the tabs 212A, 212B cooperatewith the springs 132A, 132B disposed in channels 106A, 106B to bias theintegrated boot and release slide 134 in a non-activated position withina cage, as will be explained in greater detail below with respect toFIG. 6.

B. Boot

Turning next to FIGS. 3A-3B, additional details regarding the boot 138are disclosed. The boot 138 can be made of rubber, plastic, sheet metal,other suitable material(s), or any combination thereof. Further, theboot 138 includes a main body 302.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the main body 302 of boot 138 is overmolded overthe coupling structures 210 of the release slide 136. In particular,FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the integrated boot and release slide134 with a cross-section through the integrated boot and release slide134 depicting coupling structures 210A, 210D that have been overmoldedby the main body 302 of boot 138. Although not visible in FIG. 4, theother coupling structures 210B, 210C, 210E of release slide 134 are alsoovermolded by the main body 302 of boot 138.

Accordingly, the boot 138 is coupled to the release slide 136 to formintegrated boot and release slide 134 by overmolding the boot 138 overthe coupling structures 210 of the release slide 136. In otherembodiments, the boot 138 is coupled to the release slide 136 usingwelds, rivets, nuts, bolts, screws, pins, clips or other coupling means.

Returning to FIGS. 3A-3B, the boot 138 defines a cavity 304 configuredto slidably receive a cable, such as the communications cable 122A ofFIGS. 1A-1C. In this and other examples, the cavity 304 permits the boot138 to slide back and forth in the z-direction along the communicationscable 122A.

The boot 138 optionally includes a handle 306 that is configured to bemanipulated by a user to apply a force to the boot 138. In otherembodiments forces can be applied directly to the main body 302 or otherareas of the boot 138. Because the boot 138 is coupled to the releaseslide 136 as illustrated in FIG. 4, forces applied to the boot 138 viahandle 304 are transferred to the release slide 136.

C. Example Operation of the Integrated Boot and Release Slide

Turning next to FIGS. 5A-6, aspects of the operation of the integratedboot and release slide 134 are disclosed. FIG. 5A illustrates a partialcross-sectional view of the bottom shell 106 and release slide 136 withthe release slide 136 in a non-activated position. FIG. 5B illustrates apartial cross-sectional view of the bottom shell 106 and release slide136 with the release slide 136 in an activated position. FIG. 6illustrates a bottom perspective view of part of the module 100 with aportion of the release slide 136 removed.

FIGS. 5A and 5B further depict a portion of a cage 500 or other hostdevice receptacle for receiving module 100. As illustrated in FIGS.5A-5B, the cage 500 includes cage latches 502A, 502B (collectively“latches 502”) which are formed in the cage 500 and directed inward soas to engage latching shoulders 109 formed in the bottom shell 106.Alternately or additionally, latches 502 can be formed in the cage 500so as to engage latching shoulders 108 formed in the top shell 104.

As previously mentioned, FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively depict the releaseslide 136 in a non-activated position and an activated position withrespect to the bottom shell 106. In the present embodiment, the term“non-activated position” refers to the positioning generally illustratedin FIG. 5A where the de-latch members 206 are positioned beyond thelatching shoulders 109 such that the ramps 205 permit theinward-directed latches 502 to engage the latching shoulders 109. Moregenerally, the term “non-activated position” as applied to this andother embodiments refers to any positioning of an integrated boot andrelease slide in which a cage can engage a module, or vice versa.

In contrast, the term “activated position” as applied to the presentembodiment refers to the positioning generally illustrated in FIG. 5Bwhere the release slide 136 has been moved in the z-direction to alignthe de-latch members 206 in the z-direction with the ends of the latches502 such that the latches 502 can disengage the latching shoulders 109.More generally, the term “activated position” as applied to this andother embodiments refers to any positioning of an integrated boot andrelease slide in which a cage is disengaged from a module, or viceversa.

During the alignment of the de-latch members 206 with the ends of thelatches 502, the ends of the latches 502 ride over the de-latch members206 and are displaced outward in the x-direction sufficient to clear andthereby disengage the latching shoulders 109. In this regard, thelatches 502 may be made of a resilient material such that the latches502 flex outward as the ends of the latches 502 are displaced in thex-direction by the de-latch members 206.

FIG. 5A further illustrates reference planes 504 and 506 that are botharranged normal to the z-axis. The reference plane 504 is aligned withthe latching shoulders 109 and remains substantially fixed in thez-direction at least until the latches 502 are disengaged from thelatching shoulders 109. The reference plane 506 is aligned with the endsof the de-latch members 206 and coincides with the reference plane 504when the release slide 136 is in the non-activated position of FIG. 5A.However, the reference plane 506 remains fixed with respect to therelease slide 136 such that the reference plane 506 moves in thez-direction when the release slide 136 is moved.

With combined reference to FIGS. 1A-1C and 5A-5B, to remove the module100 (FIGS. 1A-1C) from the cage 500 (FIGS. 5A-5B), a force is applied tothe boot 138 (FIGS. 1A-1C), the force having at least a component in thepositive z-direction. Because the boot 138 is coupled to the releaseslide 136, when a sufficient force is exerted on the boot 138, the boot138 and release slide 136 move in the positive z-direction until theboot 138 and release slide 136 have moved a distance Δ in the positivez-direction with respect to the bottom shell 106. The distance Δ isillustrated in FIG. 5B as the difference between reference planes 504and 506.

In some embodiments, the distance Δ is less than or approximately equalto the length L of the cutouts 107. In this regard, the guide posts 208(not shown in FIGS. 5A-5B) of release slide 136 are received withincutouts 107 and are configured to prevent the release slide 136 fromseparating from the bottom shell 106 and, in so doing, limit the lengthof travel of the release slide 136 with respect to the bottom shell 106to a distance less than or equal to L.

Accordingly, as the boot 138 and release slide 136 move in the positivez-direction from the non-activated position of FIG. 5A to the activatedposition of FIG. 5B, the ends of the latches 502 ride over the de-latchmembers 206 and are displaced outward in the x-direction sufficient toclear and thereby disengage the latching shoulders 109. After thelatches 502 have been disengaged from the latching shoulders 109, themodule 100 can be removed from the cage 500 by the continued applicationof the force to the boot 138 in the positive z-direction. In someembodiments, for example, the force previously applied to activate therelease slide 136 to outwardly displace and disengage the latches 502from the latching shoulders 109 subsequently operates to remove themodule 100 from the cage 500 when the latches 502 are no longer engagingthe latching shoulders 109.

In this and other embodiments, the cavity 304 (FIG. 3B) defined by theboot 138 permits the boot 138 to slide along the communications cable122A (FIGS. 1A-1C) during activation of the integrated boot and releaseslide 134.

Turning to FIG. 6, a portion of the release slide 136 has been removedfrom FIG. 6 to illustrate various aspects of the module 100. Inparticular, FIG. 6 illustrates the springs 132A, 132B disposed inchannels 106A, 106B to bias the integrated boot and release slide 134 ina non-activated position. The channels 106A, 106B include, respectively,shoulders 106D, 106E.

The springs 132A, 132B are substantially confined in the x-direction bythe channels 106A, 106B. The springs 132A, 132B are substantiallyconfined in the y-direction by the channels 106A, 106B and the main body202 of the release slide 136. The springs 132A, 132B are substantiallyconfined in the z-direction by the shoulders 106D, 106E in cooperationwith the tabs 212A, 212B.

Accordingly, during force application and activation of the integratedboot and release slide 134, motion of the integrated boot and releaseslide 134 in the positive z-direction causes the tabs 212A, 212B tocompress the springs 132A, 132B against the shoulders 106D, 106E. Whenthe applied force is removed, the compressed springs 132A, 132B expandin the z-direction against the tabs 212A, 212B and shoulders 106D, 106Eto move the integrated boot and release slide 134 to the non-activatedposition depicted in FIG. 5A. In some embodiments, the springs 132A,132B are partially compressed in the z-direction when the integratedboot and release slide 134 is in the non-activated position so as toensure that the integrated boot and release slide 134 is biased into thenon-activated position when no external force is being applied to theintegrated boot and release slide 134.

III. Alternate Embodiments

With additional reference to FIG. 7, another embodiment of an integratedboot and release slide 700 is disclosed that is similar in some respectsto the integrated boot and release slide 134 of FIGS. 1A-6 and that canbe implemented in the module 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C. As illustrated, theintegrated boot and release slide 700 includes a release slide 702 and aboot 704. The release slide 502 is substantially identical to therelease slide 136 described above.

The boot 704 is similar in some respects to the boot 138. For instance,the boot 704 may be made of the same materials as the boot 138, includesa main body, is coupled to the release slide 702 by overmolding the boot704 over coupling structures (not shown) of the release slide 702, anddefines a cavity 704A configured to slidably receive a cable. Incontrast to the boot 138 of FIGS. 1A-6, however, the boot 704 lacks ahandle. Accordingly, the integrated boot and release slide 700 of FIG. 7is activated by applying a force directly to the main body of the boot704.

Turning to FIG. 8A, a module 800 is disclosed that implements yetanother embodiment of an integrated boot and release slide 802. Themodule 800 is generally similar to the module 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C exceptfor the implementation of a fiber-to-module interface 804 that isdifferent than the fiber-to-module interface (including modified MPOstyle male connector 122B) of module 100, and the implementation ofintegrated boot and release slide 802.

FIG. 8B discloses an exploded perspective view of the integrated bootand release slide 802. As illustrated, the integrated boot and releaseslide 802 includes a release slide 806 and a boot 808. The release slide806 is generally similar to the release slide 136 of FIGS. 1A-6 exceptthat the release slide 806 includes a main body 810 with a cutout 812 toaccommodate the fiber-to-module interface 804 and the release slide 806only includes two coupling structures 814A, 814B.

The boot 808 is generally similar to the boot 138 of FIGS. 1A-6 exceptthat the release slide lacks a main body. Instead, the boot 808 includestwo coupling lobes 816A, 816B configured to be overmolded on thecoupling structures 814A, 814B to couple the boot 808 and release slide806 together.

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9B, a module 900 is disclosed that implements yetanother embodiment of an integrated boot and release slide 902. Asdisclosed in FIG. 9A, the module 900 is permanently attached to a cableassembly 904, and thus the module 900 represents one end of an “activecable” which may include another module (not shown) permanently attachedto the other end of the cable assembly 904. Alternately, the other endof the active cable can terminate with a fiber optic connector or themodule 900 could instead be configured as a stand-alone module.

The cable assembly 904 includes a communications cable 904A and amodified MPO-style male connector 904B. In some embodiments, thecommunications cable 904A includes twenty four (24) multimode parallelfibers, with twelve (12) of the fibers being employed to transfer datasignals in one direction, and the other twelve (12) fibers beingemployed to transfer data signals in the opposite direction.

The module 900 can be configured to optical signal transmission at avariety of per-second data rates including, but not limited to, 150 G orhigher. In addition, although the example module 900 is configured to besubstantially compliant with the CXP MSA, the module 900 can instead beconfigured to assume a variety of different form factors that aresubstantially compliant with various transceiver and/or transponder MSAsincluding, but not limited to, SFF, SFP, XFP, XPAK, X2, XENPAK or QSFP.

The module 900 includes a housing 906 and various other componentsanalogous to those disclosed above with respect to the module 100 ofFIGS. 1A-1C. In particular, the module 900 includes one or more opticaltransmitters (not shown), one or more optical receivers (not shown), aPCBA, laser driver, post amplifier, and the like. The module 900additionally includes an alignment guide 908 to receive the MPO-stylemale connector 904B.

The latching mechanism employed to selectively secure the module 900within a cage is different than the latching mechanism of the module100. In particular, the module 900 includes a latch 910 that isconfigured to engage at least one recess in the cage. The latch 910includes latch hooks 911 (only one is shown in FIGS. 9A-9B) and isdisposed above a cam 912. A retaining cover 914 secures the latch 910 tothe module 900. The integrated boot and release slide 902, includingrelease slide 916 and boot 918, activates the latch 910.

The release slide 902 is similar in some respects to the release slide136 of FIGS. 1A-6. For instance, the release slide 902 includes a mainbody 920 with a plurality of arms 922A, 922B (collectively “arms 922”)extending from one side of the main body 920, and a plurality ofcoupling structures 924 extending from the other side of the main body920. The couplings structures 924 are configured to be overmolded by theboot 918 to couple the boot 918 and release slide 916 together.

In contrast to the release slide 136, however, the arms 922 includecutouts 926A, 926B (collectively “cutouts 926”) formed therein. Thecutouts 926A are configured to receive cam legs 928A, 928B (collectively“cam legs 928”) of the cam 912. The cam 912 is configured to pivot aboutan axis defined by pivot posts 930A, 930B (collectively “pivot posts930”) formed on the cam 912 and corresponding pivot slots 932A, 932B(collectively “pivot slots 932”) formed in the housing 906.

The boot 918 is similar to the boot 138 of FIGS. 1A-6.

In operation, the latch 910 is activated by exerting a force having apositive z-component on the integrated boot and release slide 902.Generally, the force is applied to a handle 934, main body 936, and/orgripping portion 938 of the boot 918. As the integrated boot and releaseslide 902 moves in the z-direction, the cutouts 926 engage cam legs 928and cause the cam 912 to rotate about the axis defined by pivot posts930 and pivot slots 932. The rotation of the cam 912 about the axisdisplaces the end of the latch 910 with the latch hooks 911 upwards todisengage the latch hooks 911 of the latch 910 from correspondingrecesses formed in the cage (not shown). The retaining cover 914 flexesto accommodate the displacement of the latch 910 and is at leastpartially resilient so as to restore the latch 910, cam 912 andintegrated boot and release slide 902 to a non-activated position.

Alternately or additionally, the release slide 916 includes a pluralityof tabs 940 (only one tab 940 is visible in FIG. 9B) formed in the arms922. The tabs 940 cooperate with the housing 906 and retaining cover 914to confine springs 942 (only one spring 942 is visible in FIG. 9B). Thesprings 942 are configured to bias the integrated boot and release slide902 to the non-activated position. For instance, when the integratedboot and release slide 902 is activated by applying a force to move theintegrated boot and release slide 902 in the positive z-direction, thetabs 940 are configured to compress the springs 942 against theretaining cover 914. When the force is removed, the compressed springs942 expand against the tabs 940 and retaining cover 914 to return theintegrated boot and release slide 902 to a non-activated position.

Additional details regarding the module 900 are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/573,637.

With additional reference to FIG. 10, another embodiment of anintegrated boot and release slide 1000 is disclosed that is similar insome respects to the integrated boot and release slide 902 of FIGS.9A-9B and that can be implemented in the module 900 of FIGS. 9A-9B. Asillustrated, the integrated boot and release slide 1000 includes arelease slide 1002 and a boot 1004. The release slide 1004 issubstantially identical to the release slide 916 described above.

The boot 1004 is similar in some respects to the boot 918 of FIGS.9A-9B. In contrast to the boot 918, however, the boot 1004 includes anextended handle 1006 with a plurality of holes formed therein.

It will be appreciated, with the benefit of the present disclosure, thatthe embodiments disclosed herein are not mutually exclusive and can besubstituted or combined in various manners. Further, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromits spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments areto be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated boot and release slide for acommunications module, the integrated boot and release slide comprising:a release slide, the release slide including: a main body; a pluralityof arms extending from a first end of the main body; and a plurality ofcoupling structures extending from a second end of the main bodyopposite the first end; and a boot overmolded over the plurality ofcoupling structures of the release slide, the boot defining a cavityconfigured to slidably receive a communications cable.
 2. The integratedboot and release slide of claim 1, wherein the release slide furtherincludes a plurality of tabs configured to engage a plurality of springsof a communications module to bias the integrated boot and release slidein a non-activated position.
 3. The integrated boot and release slide ofclaim 1, wherein the release slide comprises sheet metal.
 4. Theintegrated boot and release slide of claim 1, wherein the main bodycomprises a hollow cylinder substantially enclosing at least a portionof one end of a housing of the module, the hollow cylinder having asubstantially rectangular cross-section.
 5. The integrated boot andrelease slide of claim 1, wherein the plurality of coupling structuresincludes five substantially U-shaped coupling structures.
 6. Theintegrated boot and release slide of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcoupling structures includes two substantially U-shaped couplingstructures.
 7. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1, whereinthe boot includes a main body overmolded over the plurality of couplingstructures.
 8. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1, whereinthe boot includes a handle extending from the main body.
 9. Theintegrated boot and release slide of claim 1, wherein the boot includesa plurality of coupling lobes overmolded over the plurality of couplingstructures.
 10. The integrated boot and release slide of claim 1,wherein the boot comprises rubber.
 11. A communications modulecomprising: a housing comprising a top shell and a bottom shell; and anintegrated boot and release slide, the integrated boot and release slidecomprising: a release slide, the release slide including: a main bodycomprising a hollow cylinder substantially enclosing at least a portionof one end of the bottom shell, the hollow cylinder having asubstantially rectangular cross-section; a plurality of arms extendingfrom a first end of the main body along opposing sides of the housing;and a plurality of coupling structures extending from a second end ofthe main body opposite the first end of the main body; and a bootovermolded over the plurality of coupling structures of the releaseslide, the boot defining a cavity configured to slidably receive acommunications cable.
 12. The communications module of claim 11, whereinthe housing includes at least one shoulder formed on each of theopposing sides of the housing and each of the plurality of arms includesa ramp and a de-latch member positioned near a corresponding at leastone shoulder.
 13. The communications module of claim 12, wherein theramps are configured to accommodate inward-directed latches of a cagethat are operable to engage the at least one shoulders, and wherein thede-latch members are configured to displace the latches so as todisengage the latches from the at least one shoulders.
 14. Thecommunications module of claim 11, wherein the housing includes aplurality of pivot slots and each of the plurality of arms of therelease slide includes a cutout, the communications module furthercomprising: a cam including two pivot posts configured to be receivedwithin the pivot slots and that define an axis of rotation with thepivot slots, the cam further including a plurality of cam legs that eachextend in a direction substantially normal to the axis of rotation, eachcam leg configured to be received by a corresponding cutout of theplurality of arms of the release slide; a latch having a first end and asecond end with the first end positioned above the cam, the first endconfigured to be displaced by the cam when the cam is rotated about theaxis of rotation; and a retaining cover configured to secure the latchto the communications module.
 15. The communications module of claim 11,wherein the communications module is substantially compliant with theQSFP MSA or the CXP MSA.
 16. An active cable comprising: acommunications cable comprising one or more optical fibers, thecommunications cable having first and second ends; and first and secondcommunications modules attached to the first and second ends of thecommunications cable, respectively, each communications modulecomprising: a housing comprising a top shell and a bottom shell; anintegrated boot and release slide, the integrated boot and release slidecomprising: a release slide, the release slide including: a main bodyincluding a hollow cylinder substantially enclosing at least a portionof one end of the bottom shell, the hollow cylinder having asubstantially rectangular cross-section; a plurality of arms extendingfrom a first end of the main body along opposing sides of the housing;and a plurality of coupling structures extending from a second end ofthe main body opposite the first end of the main body; and a bootovermolded over the plurality of coupling structures of the releaseslide, the boot defining a cavity configured to slidably receive thecommunications cable.
 17. The active cable of claim 16, wherein thecavity permits the boot to travel back and forth along a portion of thecommunications cable.
 18. The active cable of claim 16, furthercomprising a plurality of springs, each disposed in a correspondingchannel of the housing and configured to engage a corresponding tabformed in the release slide so as to bias the integrated boot andrelease slide in a non-activated position.
 19. The active cable of claim16, wherein each communications module is substantially compliant withthe QSFP MSA or the CXP MSA.
 20. The active cable of claim 16, whereinthe communications cable comprises twelve optical fibers or twenty fouroptical fibers.